Whoever loves DIY will be a thrill to work with wood! Yes, woodworking is fun and it is more exciting to see your own designed objects in your house! In addition to the other woodworking gears like the saws, screws, hammers, etc. a drill press is also necessary if you want to work on various projects.
And so, today, we have come here to tell you how to use a drill press for woodworking and complete the projects you are holding!
No matter you are dealing with kitchen cabinets or just floating shelves, you have to add screws. And to add screws, you will need holes! This is where the name of drill press comes in! Let us know how it works!
Step-by-Step Operating Drill Press
Here is a guide on operating a drill press step by step. Follow up and get the gears first. Then get ready for doing it on your own because nobody can do better!
Step 1: Read the Manual
Your first job when you plan to learn how to use a drill press for woodworking is to go through the manual provided by the company. Different drill press operates differently. So, you must learn how to operate it and what the safety precautions are.
Step 2: The Speed Settings
Once you are done with going through the manual, you have to check the speed settings of the drill press. Mostly, the drill presses of this time have an adjustable drive belt added from one pulley to another. All you need to do is move this and adjust the speed.
If you are new to using a drill press, you must know that the size of the pulley and the speed of the spins are connected. If the pulley on the chuck axis is small, it will move or spin faster and vice versa. When it comes to cutting any objects, especially metal, go for slow speed.
On the other hand, for cutting good, it is great to settle for faster speed. This also depends on the manual you have got. Check it out to reduce complications.
Step 3: The Bit’s Fitment
Now that you are done with setting the speed of the drill press, you have to check fit the bit. For this, firstly, go through the chuck and open it. Slowly, side the bit inside it. Get your hands on the chuck with care and snug it.
While doing it, take your hands around the shaft of the bit. Once you are done, start tightening the bit. To tighten it, you will need three jaws along with a key. Get that and tighten the bit properly. For proceeding, you have to remove the chuck first.
Otherwise, there will be severe accidents when you turn the drill press. When it comes to drilling larger holes, it is better to stick to drilling smaller pilot holes beforehand to make space for the large holes.
Step 4: Table Adjustment
In some cases, there are drill presses that include the feature of adjusting the height of the table. If you have this feature in your drill press, you are lucky and will be able to adjust the table according to the right height. There will be a crank for adjusting it. Hold the table as set it to your desired height. And then, adjust it there!
Step 5: Depth Gauging
Mostly, when you are using a drill press, you don’t need to go through the depth gauge and adjust it. In terms of regular pieces of stock, you won’t need them. In this case, there is a threaded rod added. This can easily control the distance that the spindle usually travels.
However, there are situations where we want a stopped hole of a fixed depth. In such a case, all you have to do is lower the bit a lot and take it to the expected height. Here, marking the accurate stopping point is necessary. For this, use a couple of knurled nuts and add them to the depth gauge.
As we have used two nuts included, one of these will stop the spindle. The other nut will lock the previously placed nut and will make sure that the previous nut is in its right place.
Step 6: Workpiece Securing
Now that you are ready with the device, you have to work with the workpiece. No matter you are dealing with wood or metal or whatever, you have to secure the piece so that you can use the drill press without any movement.
If you do not secure it, as the drill bit will rotate, it will spin the workpiece with it. And with that unstable movement, you won’t be able to make perfect holes.
On the other hand, if the workpiece is fixed, you can easily drill the holes! So, you should clamp it to the worktable. Make sure that the workpiece is firmly placed and not moving at all!
Step 7: Start Drilling
So, you have made all the preparations you need for working with the drill press. Now, you have to start the drill press and work with it! This step is easy. Turn on the drill press and let the drill spin. Certify that the drill’s spinning speed is at its highest.
Now, go through the workpiece and use the drill but there! Swing the rotating lever first and lower the bit slightly. You can effortlessly drill holes now!
After you are done drilling the holes, gradually make your hand soft and release the pressure on the lever. Slowly, the spring-loaded return mechanism added with the drill press will be back to normal!
Wrap Up
Never worry about drilling holes if you have a drill press! All you need to know is how to operate a drill press for woodworking and that’s all! The easy step-by-step process will help you out in your DIY woodworking life and make it more versatile!
Just a gentle reminder, check out the website to learn more about woodworking projects and DIY jobs. If you are an interested soul, you will surely enjoy your favorite trade!
